Cash register



(No Model.) 3 SheetsSheet 1.

A. LE. G. PEIRCE. CASH REGISTER, INDICATOR, AND RECORDER.

No. 450,803. Patented Apr. 21, 1891.

Z1 tie J t. 7172 6 21/50 Z (No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

A. LE. G. PEIRGE. CASH REGISTER, INDICATOR, AND RECORDER.

No. 450,803. k k vPR'gqented'Apr. 21, 1891.

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(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

' A. LE. G. PEIRCE.

CASH REGISTER, INDICATOR, AND RECORDER. No. 450,803.

Patented Apr. 21, 1891.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIC ALMY LE GRAND PEIRCE, OF GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO CHARLES E. KING, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO.

CASH REGISTER, INDICATOR, AND RECORDER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 450,803, dated April 21, 1891.

Application filed August 28, 1890. Serial No. 863,378. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

. Be it known that I, ALMY LE GRAND PEIRCE, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the city of Grand Rapids, in the county of Kent and State of Michigan, have invented a certain new and useful Gash-Register, of which the following is a specification.

The several features of my invention and the various advantages resulting from their use, conjointly or otherwise, will be apparent from the following description and claims.

In the accompanying drawings, making a part of this specification, and to which refer once is hereby made, Figure 1, Sheet 1, is a front elevation of a machine embodying myv improvements, the right-hand portion of the front for three-quarters of the height of the machine being broken away to disclose the mechanism in rear. Fig. 2, Sheet 2, is a vertical section of the machine from front to rear,

. looking toward the right hand, as seen in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is aplan view, parts being broken away to disclose the construction beneat-h.

Aindicates the bottom or foundation piece of the machine. Upon this bottom is located the lower division of compartments. This division has exterior side walls B 13, rear wall B and front wall B The latter wall is present at each end portion of the front of the machine, but is absent at the middle portion of the front, the latter portion being occupied by the front wall Oof the cash-drawer O. This cash-drawer has vertical sides or walls C 0 a bottom 0 and a rear wall 0. At the rear of the drawer is located a suitable spring for forcing the drawer forward. A preferred description of spring is shown, and consists of the well-known fiat spring D,bent in a form of a semi-ellipse and at middle to the stationary block D adjacent then latched and located in place by a mechanism shortly to be described. WVhile the drawer is shut the spring presses with force against the rear end of the drawer and its pressure tends to force the drawer open. As soon as the drawer is unlocked the spring, being free to act, pushes the drawer out from the machine and, in common parlance, opens it.

The mechanism for unlocking the drawer acts independently of the mechanism for operating the cash-register wheels and indicatory numbers, and is as follows: Located at the side of the drawer and within the lower division of the machine is a lever E, pivotally fulcru'med at E to a stationary part-as, for instance, floor A of the machine. This lever carries a locking arm or tongue E The lever E is continually forced toward the side of the drawer by a suitable spring. Among the Various kinds of springs suitable for this purpose is the one shown and indicated by the character This spring is strained between the lever and stationary part or partition E of the machine. The lever E is provided with a handle E, which projects through the case and within easy reach of the operator. In the partition and the drawer is an opening E. Vhen the drawer is closed, this opening E is opposite the locking-tongue E and the spring E causes the tongue E to enter this opening E and lock the drawer. The latter cannot then be opened until the lever E, by means of its handle, is inclined away from the drawer, and the tongue is thus withdrawn from the opening E. The drawer-spring D will then open the drawer.

Above the first orlower division is a second containing mechanism, as follows, viz: Sliding rods F are present in this division. The front ends of these rods F project forward through and beyond the front wall IV of this division, and their front ends are each provided with a push-button bearing on its face a number.

In order to obtain compactness of construction and economy of room, I place the rods F in two rows and dodging one another. For example, the upper rod will be opposite and over the space between two adjacent lower rods. The inner end of each rod slides in and is supported by a partition or wall X. A

shoulder or stop F, located on each rod F,

prevents the latter from being pressed in too far, this stop striking against a suitable abutment. In the present instance the partition X serves as such abutment.

A series of bell-crank levers G are present at the rear part of the machine. Each lever has a lower arm G and an upper arm G Each lever swings or turns on a pivotal fulcrum G and for convenience of construction one long rod serves as the pivotal fulcrum for these levers. The levers are kept apart a suitabledistancefrom each other on said fulcrum-rod G by any well-known means, as washers, &c.

To the free end of theupper arm G of each lever is pivotally connected a vertical rod H, carrying at its upper end a tablet I, bearing a given number. The rod H slides in a guideway or guideways of suitable description. Convenient guides are those shown and are as follows: The roof W extends from the wall XV rearward to the vertical rear wall B of the machine, the wall B being extended upward to meet the wall W.

Under the indicating-tablets the roof \V is depressed in order to provide a recess W Through a vertical opening in the bottom W of this recess each rod passes up. This opening WV performs the office of a guide. A further guide above consists of the sleeve 1, fixed to the casing, and through this sleeve passes the rod H.

The tablet tower or case J surmounts the roof W and is secured thereto. In this case J 4 are located the various tablets. In the upper portion of the front wall J and in the upper portion of the rear wall J G of the case J are located panes of glass J so that when a given tablet or tablets are raised the same while thus elevated can be seen and inspected. The glass can be omitted; but its presence is desirable, as it keeps the tablets clean and protects them from injury. The free or rear end of each rod F bears against arm G of that bell-crank lever G which it is to operate.

WVhenever a rod F is pushed toward the wall B of the machine, it pushes against the arm G of its lever G, and, moving said arm G toward said wall, operates said lever G, and consequently elevates arm G and the latter elevates the tablet I and brings it into view. Each lever carries on its'push-button the same number or character which is borne by the indicator-tablet which it operates. Thus the rod F having the push-button marked 15 operates the tablet bearing the number 15. Each rod F, after it has been pushed rearward and has operated its tablet, willautomatically, as soon as the operator releases his pressure thereon, return forward to the position shown in Fig. 2. This automatic movement is accomplished by means of a suitable spring. One description of such. spring is shown and is a spiral one F embracing 1 its rod. One end of this spring rests against the stationary abutment V, while the other end of the spring rests and bears against a shoulder or abutment F fixed to and moving with the rod F. hen the rod F is pushed forward to operate lever G, this spring is compressed, and when pressure upon the push-button is removed the spring expands and moves the rod Fback into position to be again operated.

Upon the lower end of each arm G of each bell-crank lever is located a pawl G This pawl is straight on its side which faces toward wall 13 The opposite sideviz., the one which, when arm G is in a vertical position, faces toward the front of the machineis beveled. As indicated on the drawings, the pawl can oscillate toward the rear of the machine, but when pressed in the opposite direction will not yield. The pawl G is prevented from yielding by a suitable stop or stud. In the present illustrative instance this stop consists of the lug G, fixed imme iately behind the said pawl and to that bellcrank lever which carries the said pawl.

A long tripping-bar J extends across the machine. When not acted upon by a pawl, it occupies a position substantially vertical, and when left free to move it will always return to its vertical position. The preferred means for causing it to so act are as follows: The bar is hinged at J to an appropriate portion of the case-as, for example, the floor K. It is provided with a stop, which latter, after the bar has assumed a vertical position, prevents its upper or free edge being moved farther toward the front of the machine. A spiral spring J 2 is strained between the middle or upper portion of the bar and a stationary hook or eye or part,asJ on the floorK of the machine. The operation of this bar is as follows: When a rod F is pushed rearward in elevatin gits tablet, the arm G of the lever G worked. by the said rod is moved toward the rear of the machine. hen the free end of pawl G reaches the upper edge bar J, it pushes this edge of the bar rearward and downward, and thus passes over this obstacle. The lever G has at the same time elevated its tablet. As soon as the pawl has passed the bar J the latter automatically reassumes its vertical position. As the operator relinquishes his hold upon the push-button, the rod F is automatically returned to its first position. The weight of the tablet and the position of the bell-crank lever cause the arm G of lever G to move toward its first position to rest against rod F; but in moving down the lower edge of the arm G strikes against the upper edge of the tripping-bar and is there held. At the same time the tablet of'this lever G is elevated and remains in a position for inspection. hen another rod F is pushed rearward, the tablet of this last-named rod is ele vated. In this operation the arm G of the last-named rod strikes the bar J and moves its upper edge rearward. moves, it releases the arm G of the firstnamed lever G and allows this arm to pass over it and back. to a position where it rests against its rod F, and its tablet descends and disappears from view. The pawl of this arm As the latter thus G yields While passing over the bar toward the front of the machine and presents no obstacle to the free movement of the arm. Thus each time a rod F is moved rearward and a new tablet elevated the former tablet descends out of sight. As the upper edge of the tripping-bar J is moved toward the rear wall B it depresses the bell-hammer Z, se-- cured by a shank Z to the said edge of the bar J. The bell-hammer strikes the .bell Z secured to the frame-work of the machine, and announces that another indicating-tablet has been elevated.

In connection with this mechanism for operating these tablets I employ automaticallyregistering mechanisms, as follows: A set of ratchet-wheels, as L, are each supported on an axial pivot L. Each wheel turns on its pivot, and for convenience one pivot serves for all. The face of each ratchet-tooth bears a given number. These wheels are for re cording the number of cents deposited in the drawer, and hence the teeth of each wheel bear numbers between 1 and 100. In front of each ratchet-wheel L is another toothed wheel M, having ten teeth M and consequently the spaces between the teeth number ten. Upon these spaces are marked the dollars. Each of these Wheels M turns loosely upon a pivot M. The ratchet-teeth of wheel L of wheel L do not engage the teeth of the wheel M; but the wheel L carries a single cog L projecting beyond the circle in which lie the points of the ratchet-teeth L and extending far enough to engage the adjacent tooth M of Wheel M. Consequently for each revolution of the ratchet-wheel L the wheel M is moved one tooth, and consequently one figure. Further description of these wheels and-their operation is deemed unnecessary.

Upon the rod F is fixed a pawl F and as the rod is moved toward the rear this pawl F engages the adjacent tooth on the adjacent ratchet-wheel and rotates the latter forward one tooth. As' the rod F is returned to its first position, the pawl F is also retracted and moves to its first-named position. The pawl F is preferably an elastic one, as it thereby is more readily retracted and makes less frictional contact with the faces of the teeth of the ratchet-wheel L.

A pawl L pivoted at a point L to a stationary portion, as wall X of the machine, bears against the periphery of the ratchet- Wheel L and setting behind each tooth L in turn prevents the ratchet-wheel L from rotating backward. Thus each movement of a rod F toward the wall of the machine serves stance the front journals each turn in its hearing located in abutment or wall Y, and their rear journals each rotate in its bearing in the rear abutment or wall X. One of the rollers N is located on one side of the machine and the other near the right-hand side. At the left-hand side of the drawer and in the lower division is located a supply-roller N, journaled at its front end in the front wall B and at its rear end in the rear wall B or in any other suitable journal-bearin g. The function of this roller is to supply register-paper to the machine as called for, and its precise location in the latter is not material so long as it is properly protected from outside manipulation and performs its aforementioned function of a supply. The paper P from the roller N passes horizontally over the floor K, and then upon and down around a large operatingroller N upon which it iswound. This latter roller is suitably journaled, preferably, at front in the extended partition-wall Yand at rear in the extended partition-wall X. One description of means for rotating it is as follows: The forward journal of the roller extends forward and carries a ratchet-wheel N rigidly fixed thereto. The front end of the journal in front of this wheel is preferably supported. in a bearing in the adjac nt front wall 13 Pivoted to the lever E is a pawl N, which latter engages an adjacent tooth of the ratchetuvheel. The journal N is preferably located to the left of the lever E and forms a convenient stop against which the lever E rests. This stop prevents the locking-tongue E from plunging too far into the opening E in the drawer. Each time the lever E is moved to the right the drawer is unlocked and the ratchet-wheel N is rotated one tooth and a corresponding amount of paper drawn from the supply roller N and rolled upon the roller N In the machine there are printing-types Q, and there are as many types as there are rods. Each rod operates a type, and the type bears the same number as does the push-button of its operating-rod. Each type is supported on a yielding support, which will return to its first position when the operating pressure from its operating-rod F has been removed. The preferred means for enabling the type to accomplish these functions consists of a flat curved spring-piece Q secured at one end Q to a suitable support Q and curving upward to or near to the point where it is connected to the type-holderQ. Thetype-holder Q passes down through or by the support Q and holds the type in close proximity to the surface of the paperP. On each rod F is a pawl R, which latter, when the rod is in its forward position, as shown in Fig. 2, is directly over the lower portion of the spring-piece Q As the rod Fis pushed toward the rear of the machine, the free end or point of the pawl R strikes the spring-piece, and as the pawl does not, while moving in this direction, yield to pressure the spring-piece Q will yield and be depressed and the type be depressed. As the type is depressed, it presses down upon the ink-ribbon, and, forcing the latter against the paper, prints upon the latter the number or character it carries. The type are arranged in oblique rows in order to prevent one type from printing directly upon that portion of the paper upon which another type has already printed a number. For economy of room the type are arranged in double rows. In Fig. 3 openings through the fioor or support Q for the passage of the type are shown. A suitable ribbon V intervenes between the type and the paper. This ribbon is stretched or extended between two points. Each of these points is preferably a roller, as N. One of the rollers preferably contains a supply of ribbon, and as the ink in the ribbon beneath the type is exhausted the receiving-roller is turned and the ribbon wound thereon, and a partof the ribbon as yet unused and full of ink is unwound from the supply-roller and brought beneath the type. At suitable intervals the printed part of the record-paper may be removed from the machine for inspection and examination. The various operating parts of the machine are covered, and the cover will be locked in any suitable wellknown manner. It will thus be observed that each rod F in its movement toward the rear wall B of the machine elevates an indicatingtablet, lowers the tablet previously raised,

' causes the annunciator-bell to ring, and depresses a type, and thus records its part in the financial transaction.

A convenient means for resetting the register-wheels consists of the rod L supported on arms L ,one at each end portion of the machine. These arms are pivotally supported on supports, as L A lever-handle L is connected to the pivotal portion or journal of one of the arms. The rod L extends under each pawl L respectively, belonging to each register-Wheel L. On the pivot L of the register-wheels L and at the outer side of a reg ister-wheel L at one end of the machine is pivoted a lever L This lever carries a pawl L engaging a ratchet-wheel L fixed to the registerwheel L. 011 the other side of the register-wheel is a beveled stud L affixed thereto, and on the adjacent side of the next register-- wheel is a spring-pawl L Each succeeding register-wheel L has on its right-hand side a stud L and on its left-hand side a springpawl L The spring-pawl L is omitted from last wheel L on the left.

In practice, when it is desired to reset the register-Wheels, the handle L is operated, and the rod L is thereby elevated, thereby lifting the pawls L from their respective wheels L. The lever L is now reciprocated, and through the agency of the pawl L and the ratchetwheel L rotates the register-wheel L back to its position in readiness to be used again. As this register-wheel L is being rotated, its stud or projection impinges against the pawl L of the next wheel L, and this latter wheel L in a similar matter rotates the next wheel, and thus all the register-wheels L are rotated back into position. As these wheels are rotated back into position, they also by means of the single cog L thereon rotate back the wheels M into position. hen the work of resetting the register-wheels has been completed, the rod L is dropped and the pawls L resume their functions in relation to the wheels L.

It should be here stated that asuitable rest, as L, for the lever L is provided.

As a safeguard to prevent the wheel M from moving more than one space between two adjacent teeth of it at a time and from any one given impact of the single cog L of the wheel L, a spring-pawl M is provided. The long axis of this pawl preferably coincides with one of the radii of the wheel L, and hence yields in either direction to a positive rotative pressure communicated to wheel M from wheel L. The spring-pawl M is suitably supported, preferably by the roof or top W, as shown in Fig. 2.

The ink-ribbon rollers N N may be rotated by any suitable means. Here they are shown as journaled in the partitions Y and X, and each roller has an axial rod projecting through the front wall of the machine and furnished with a hand-wheel IV. By the latter the rollers N N can respectively be rotated.

The advantages of myinvention over many other descriptions of cash-registering devices are obvious. It is also evident that this mechanism, heretofore described and illustrating my invention, is exceedingly simple of construction and is not liable to get out of order. Its operation is easily understood and it is readily operated. It is economic of manufacture.

Vhile the various features of my invention are preferably employed together, one or more of the said features may be employed without the remainder, and in so far as applicable one or more of said features may be used in connection with cash-registers other than the one herein specifically described.

What I claim as new and of my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The combination of the push-rod F and lever G, having arms G G the arm G having pawl G and tripping-bar J and spring J for retracting it, the pawl G striking the tripping-bar as the lever G is moved by rod F, the arm G carrying the tablet I, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

2. The combination of the push-rod F and lever G, having arms G G the arm G having pawl G and tripping-bar J and spring J 2 for retracting it, the pawl G striking the tripping-bar as the lever G is moved by rod F, the arm G carrying the tablet I, and the tripping-bar J carrying the bell-hammer Z' and the bell Z substantially as and for the purposes specified.

3. In combination with a paper-supply roller and the winding-roller N and floor or IIO platen K, the ink-ribbon stretched over the paper, and a series of type, each carried by a resilient lever, and the push-rods, each carrying a projection R, which bears on its adjacent said resilient lever and depresses the latter as said rod is pushed toward the rear of the machine, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

4. In combination with a paper supply roller and the winding-roller N and floor or platen K, the ink-ribbon stretched over the paper, and a series of type, each carried by a resilient lever, and the push-rods, each carry- 1ng a pawl R, which depresses its adjacent resilient lever as the rod F is pushed toward the rear of the machine, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

5. In combination with a paper supply roller and the winding-roller N and floor or platen K, the ink-ribbon stretched over the paper, and a series of type, each carried by a resilient lever, an d the push-rods, each carrying a pawl R, which depresses its adjacent resilient lever as the rod F is pushed toward the rear of the machine, and ratchet-wheel turning shaft N, and leverE, having ton gueE and cash-drawer and spring for openingit (the drawer) when closed, engaging said tongue, the lever-carrying pawl N engaging the said ratchet-wheel, thus compelling the paper each time the drawer is opened to be moved forward the distance of one of the teeth of ratchet-wheel N substantially as and for the purposes specified.

6. In combination with a paper supply roller and the winding-roller N and floor or platen K, the ink-ribbon stretched over the paper, and a series of type, each carried by a resilient lever, and the push-rods, each carrying a pawl R, which depresses its adjacent resilient lever as the rod F is pushed toward the rear of the machine, and ratchet-wheel turning shaft N and leverE, having tongueE and cash-drawer and spring for opening it, the drawer having opening receiving the tongue E and the lever E provided with pawl N and automatically drawn toward the drawer, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

7. The push-rod F and the ink-ribbon and paper and type, substantially as described, and the inclined spring lover or arm Q the push-rod carrying a projection, substantially as R, for depressing the type as the push-rod is advanced, the register wheels, and the push-rod having the spring pawl or arm F, engaging the teeth of a register-wheel as the push-rod is moved toward the rear of the machine and partially rotating said wheel, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

8. The push-rod F and the ink-ribbon and paper and type, substantially as described, and the inclined spring lever or arm Q, the push-rod carrying a projection, substantially as R, for depressing the type as the push-rod is advanced, the register wheels, and the push-rod having the spring pawl or arm F, engaging the teeth of a register-wheel as the push-rod is moved toward the rear of the machine and partially rotating said wheel, and the angle-lever G G and the tablet operated by the latter, the push-rod F moving the said lever G G to operate the tablet, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

9. In a cash-register, the register-wheel, as L, and pawl If, and wheels M, and pawl M and elevating-rod L the wheels having the studs L and pawls L and the lever L and the pawl L thereof, and ratchet-wheel L fixed to a wheel L and engaged by said pawl L substantially as and for the purposes speci+ fied.

ALMY LE GRAND PEIRCE.

Att est:

A. L. HERRLINGER, K. SMITH. 

